Oak Ridge Today

Ruby Tuesday demolished for Panda Express, retail shops

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Demolition work continued on the former Ruby Tuesday restaurant on South Illinois Avenue on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, to make way for a Panda Express and retail space. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The former Ruby Tuesday restaurant has been demolished to make way for a Panda Express and retail shops on South Illinois Avenue.

A site plan for the Panda Express restaurant and retail development has been reviewed by the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission.

Panda Express will be on the one-third of the subdivided Ruby Tuesday property that is closest to the Subway on South Illinois Avenue, said Ray Evans, the city’s retail consultant. The developer is Rudd Seeley Wallis LLC. That’s the Nashville company that developed the shopping center on South Illinois Avenue that includes Chipotle, Aspen Dental, and Pie Five Pizza,

The other two-thirds of the former Ruby Tuesday property is expected to include about 6,500 square feet of retail space. That’s about 40 percent the size of the Chipotle/Pie Five shopping center, Evans said. [Read more…]

Volunteers needed for annual children’s Halloween Party

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Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

 

Volunteers are still needed to help with the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department’s 2016 Children’s Halloween Party. The deadline to sign up is October 26, the day before the event.

The party is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Volunteers are needed to help run carnival games, work in the “scary room,” help with toddler activities, and assist in the craft room, a press release said.

All volunteers must be 16 and older unless working under the supervision of an adult. Volunteers are given an event T-shirt and a pizza dinner at the conclusion of the event. To volunteer, call the Civic Center information desk at (865) 425-3450. [Read more…]

Roane State, AC Chamber, CNS Y-12 to host Manufacturing Day celebration, Dream It/Do It kickoff

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Area middle school students will learn about creative, high-tech careers in manufacturing as part of a Manufacturing Day celebration on Friday, October 21, at Roane State Community College’s training facility in Clinton.

The college is teaming up with the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and CNS Y-12 to host the event, titled the Dream It/Do It Manufacturing Showcase: Think, Create, Build. The event begins at 9:30 a.m., and it will include tours and equipment demonstrations. The public is invited.

Roane State’s Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility is located at 214 Nave Street. [Read more…]

Watch a free showing of movie ‘Psycho’ Oct. 20 at Princess Theatre in Harriman

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Roane State English professor DeAnna Stephens will introduce a free screening of “Psycho,” regarded as Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece of a psychological thriller, at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Princess Theatre in Harriman.

The R-rated film, often described as “creepy,” is the tale of a woman on the lam who checks into the mysterious Bates Motel, apparently vacant except for proprietors Norman Bates and his mother.

The 1960 movie, now considered a classic, gives audiences a whole new perspective on taking showers and became Hitchcock’s biggest hit. [Read more…]

3D mammography offered at Oak Ridge Breast Center, to be discussed at Health Night lecture Oct. 25

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Thomas Lemond

Thomas Lemond

The Oak Ridge Breast Center now offers 3D mammography or digital breast tomosynthesis, the newest advancement in breast screening technology. It allows radiologists to see around and between breast tissues with greater clarity than ever before, a press release said. These more defined images may help detect cancer earlier and the x-ray exposure and screening procedure is performed like a traditional 2D mammogram.

Learn more about 3D mammography with Dr. Thomas Lemond, a board-certified radiologist and medical director of the Oak Ridge Breast Center, during Health Night on the Town on Tuesday, October 25, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The program is free and open to the public. [Read more…]

Mead, a county commissioner, running for Charter Commission

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Steve Mead

Steve Mead

Steve Mead, an Anderson County commissioner representing an Oak Ridge district, is running for one of eight seats on the Anderson County Charter Commission in the November 8 election.

Mead has expressed some concerns about term limits, at least as proposed in Anderson County this campaign season. Term limits have become one of the defining issues of the Charter Commission campaign, although nothing official will be proposed, debated, or approved until after the eight-member commission is elected next month.

In a press release, Mead said eight candidates have made term limits the primary focus of their campaign. He said those eight candidates were recruited by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and her supporters, although at least two candidates—Jim Cooper and Kathy Moore—have denied that in statements to Oak Ridge Today.

Mead said he supports term limits for career politicians that make a living from their elected offices. That’s similar to the position taken by other nation-wide organizations like U.S. Term Limits Inc., Mead said in the press release. [Read more…]

Agle seeks re-election to Board of Education

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Angi Agle

Angi Agle

Angi Agle is running for re-election to the Oak Ridge Board of Education in the November 8 election. Early voting starts Wednesday, October 19.

Now completing her third term, Agle serves as the Board’s representative on the Tennessee Legislative Network, which helps to keep all Board members informed about proposed and new legislation affecting schools from the state level, a press release said. Agle has earned the Level IV Board Member designation from TSBA through continuing education through the Tennessee School Boards Association—in addition to civic and legislative advocacy.

“Oak Ridge Schools are now gaining traction toward some long-time goals, and I believe it is important to see these through,” Agle said in the press release. “The Seven Keys to College and Career Readiness, the five-year plan devised by the community-based 2020 Planning Committee, and the Access Oak Ridge initiative give us concrete goals, direction, and tools to ensure that our students—all of our students—succeed.” [Read more…]

Dick Smyser Community Lecture on Thursday to feature advanced composites manufacturing executive

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Craig Blue

Craig Blue

The 19th Annual Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series on Thursday will feature Craig Blue, chief executive officer of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation.

Blue will give an overview of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation and Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. The lecture is sponsored by Friends of ORNL, or FORNL. It’s free and will be at the American Museum of Science and Energy at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge.

A reception will be held in the museum lobby starting at 5:30 p.m. (snacks will be served), and the lecture starts at 6 p.m. in the museum auditorium, a press release said. This talk should be of interest to the general public, the release said. [Read more…]

United Way campaign off to strong start

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United Way of Anderson County has held several events already this campaign season, including their inaugural Leading Ladies United luncheon, which provided an opportunity for networking and for attendees to hear about several girls’ and women’s initiatives that United Way has under way.

Taste of Anderson County was a success in September, with live music, food vendors, a full bar, and plenty of kids activities. The community came out to support in full force and had a great Thursday night eating and drinking together, a press release said.

Bob Kesling came to celebrate the Vols with United Way supporters at a September 16 breakfast that focused on getting the community involved through giving back with time and money.

“Of course, Campaign Co-Chair Bear Stephenson auctioned a few Vols items to raise some extra dollars,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Roane Alliance contributes $10,000 to International Friendship Bell Fund

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Steve Kelley, left, Pam May and Wade Creswell present a $10,000 check from the Roane Alliance to Pat Postma, second from right, for the new Peace Pavilion to house the International Friendship Bell. (Submitted photo)

 

The Roane Alliance recently contributed $10,000 to the fund supporting a new Peace Pavilion to house the International Friendship Bell in Oak Ridge’s Bissell Park.

Wade Creswell, president of the Roane Alliance; Pam May, Roane Alliance vice president; and Roane County Commissioner Steve Kelley presented the contribution to Pat Postma, co-chair of the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee.

Kelley, who represents Roane County Commission District 4 in Oak Ridge, said county officials consider this a tourism contribution that will bring economic benefit to the county.

“The Tourism Committee of Roane County Commission had been looking for ways to help the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park become an economic engine for Roane County,” said Kelley, who chairs the committee. “I suggested a donation through the Roane Alliance to the bell project, to support the Bell and Peace Pavilion as an attraction for national park visitors. We believe it will help increase traffic to the national park and surrounding attractions.” [Read more…]

In first run for office, Farmer seeks seat on Charter Commission

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Howard Farmer

Howard Farmer

Howard Farmer, a longtime educator and farmer, is seeking one of eight seats on the Anderson County Charter Commission. It’s Farmer’s first run for public office, a press release said.

Farmer wants to represent District 5, which includes the Dutch Valley, Clinton High School, Marlow, and Norwood precincts.

“I’ve voted my entire adult life, but this is the first time I’ve stepped forward to run for an office,” Farmer said. “I’m running because it is so important that we exact term limits. We have a lot of great people in Anderson County, but we’re not tapping into their talent and potential because of career politicians. We need term limits so we can benefit from new and fresh ideas.” [Read more…]

Moore cites city, county government experience in run for Charter Commission

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Kathy Moore

Kathy Moore

Longtime Oak Ridger Kathy Moore has announced that she is running for one of eight seats on the Anderson County Charter Commission, a press release said.

Moore supports term limits. The press release said term limits would give more people an opportunity to participate in local government as candidates and as board members.

Moore said she wants to use her experiences to serve as the representative from the Eighth District. That district includes the Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland voting precincts.

“As a lifelong Oak Ridger with experience in both city and county government, I believe I can provide knowledgeable input into the charter process,” Moore said. “A charter has worked well for the City of Oak Ridge, ensuring that citizens are an active part of our government. I want the same for Anderson County in order to move us forward.” [Read more…]